Experience the Ultimate Low Country BBQ Burger: Crispy Bacon Weave & Smoked Gouda Grit Cake Recipe
Prepare your taste buds for an extraordinary culinary journey with this Low Country-inspired BBQ Burger, featuring a magnificent Bacon Weave and a savory Smoked Gouda Grit Cake. This isn’t just another burger; it’s a gourmet masterpiece that brings together a symphony of textures and flavors – a perfectly crispy bacon lattice, a succulently juicy burger patty, rich melted cheese, a traditional Southern grit cake reimagined, and a generous drizzle of tangy barbecue sauce. Forget the traditional bun; here, the grit cake steps up to elevate this dish into an unforgettable, hearty meal. It’s time to indulge in a truly innovative burger experience that pushes the boundaries of classic BBQ.
This article was created in collaboration with Budweiser, who generously provided complementary bottles of their barbecue sauces for recipe development. No other compensation was received.
The Inspiration Behind This Gourmet BBQ Burger
This exceptional burger recipe wasn’t born from a whim; it’s a creative culmination inspired by a recent unforgettable vacation. Having received an exciting array of Budweiser barbecue sauces for a contest, I felt compelled to craft something truly unique, something that went beyond the ordinary. My thoughts immediately drifted back to the charming cities of Charleston, South Carolina, and Savannah, Georgia, where my family and I had just enjoyed a fantastic culinary tour.
In Charleston, the vibrant heart of the Low Country, we savored an incredible array of Southern delicacies. Among the many highlights were the creamy, rich Gouda grits that left a lasting impression. Their comforting texture and deep cheesy flavor were simply captivating. Then, as we journeyed to Savannah, we stumbled upon sandwiches featuring ingeniously crafted bacon “weaves” – a brilliant way to incorporate crispy bacon into every bite without it slipping out. These two distinct, yet equally inspiring, elements sparked an idea: why not bring them together with a juicy burger, creating a fusion of Southern comfort and innovative grilling techniques? And so, the concept for this gourmet Low Country BBQ Burger with Bacon Weave and Smoked Gouda Grit Cake began to take shape.
Waterfront Park, Charleston, SC, is a nice place to hang. ? . . #foodie #travel #charleston #blogger #momblogger #feedfeed #instagood #instalike
A post shared by Erica’s Recipes (@ericasrecipes) on
Crafting the Perfect BBQ Burger: The Budweiser Sauce Experience
For my initial foray into creating recipes with the Budweiser sauces, I opted for their Classic Barbecue Sauce. It felt like a safe yet promising choice, a gentle dip into the water before diving into bolder, spicier, or smokier varieties. And let me tell you, it delivered! This sauce is remarkably well-balanced, a pleasant departure from many commercially available barbecue sauces that often lean too heavily on sweetness. Its robust flavor perfectly complements the richness of the burger without overpowering it, earning it a definite “score one” in my book for a truly excellent sauce.
A Symphony of Flavors: Why Every Component Matters
The magic of this BBQ Burger lies in the incredible synergy of its components. It’s not just a collection of ingredients; it’s a carefully orchestrated ensemble where each element plays a vital role in creating a harmonious and utterly satisfying eating experience. Every bite of this burger offers a delightful contrast and complementary flavor:
- The Crispy Bacon Weave: Far from a mere strip of bacon, the weave ensures a consistent, crunchy texture and smoky flavor throughout, adding a luxurious layer that holds its own against the other hearty ingredients.
- The Juicy Burger Patty: Seasoned perfectly and grilled to perfection, the beef patty is the savory heart of this dish, melding beautifully with the BBQ sauce.
- Melted Smoked Gouda Cheese: The smoky, creamy Gouda adds a sophisticated depth of flavor, enhancing the overall profile and binding everything together with its rich melt.
- The Creamy-Crispy Grit Cake: This Southern staple, infused with smoked Gouda, offers a unique texture. It’s wonderfully creamy on the inside, providing a comforting warmth, while pan-frying creates a delightful crispiness on the outside. It serves as an ingenious, gluten-friendly alternative to a traditional burger bun, soaking up all the delicious juices and sauce.
- The Classic Barbecue Sauce: As mentioned, the Budweiser Classic Barbecue Sauce ties everything together, offering that quintessential BBQ tang and sweetness without overwhelming the other elements.
It’s truly a “dang, that’s good” kind of eat, where every single ingredient contributes to a truly memorable meal.
The Joy of Culinary Creation
One of the most rewarding aspects of this recipe was the sheer fun I had in the kitchen bringing it to life. We all start food blogging because of a genuine passion for cooking and sharing, but sometimes, the demands of creating content can make it feel like work. This particular recipe, however, rekindled that pure joy. I genuinely savored the process, from visualizing the concept, to experimenting with each element, and finally, seeing how beautifully it all came together. I spent an entire evening happily rocking to my favorite jams, perfecting each step, and experiencing that wonderful satisfaction of creation. It was a reminder of why I love what I do.
Unlock Your Inner Chef: Approachable Steps for a Gourmet Result
While this Low Country BBQ Burger with Bacon Weave and Smoked Gouda Grit Cake might look incredibly gourmet and innovative, don’t be intimidated! Each component, though seemingly fancy, is designed to be fully approachable and straightforward to make. You’ll find that the steps for preparing the grit cakes, crafting the bacon weaves, and grilling the burgers are all manageable, even for novice cooks. The result is a fun, hip, and utterly delicious burger that will impress anyone lucky enough to try it. It’s an opportunity to elevate your home cooking and create something truly special. Give it a whirl – you won’t regret embarking on this delightful culinary adventure!
Looking for another fantastic main course? Be sure to check out my award-winning Grilled Steak with Horseradish Dijon Sauce, complete with all my expert tips for achieving the perfect grilled steak every time.
Low Country BBQ Burger with Bacon Weave and Smoked Gouda Grit Cake
Print
Pin
Rate
Ingredients
For the Smoked Gouda Grit Cakes:
- 2 cups water
- 1 Tbs unsalted butter
- ½ cup quick-cooking grits
- ½ cup shredded smoked Gouda cheese
- ½ tsp kosher salt plus more to taste
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
For the Bacon Weaves:
- 18 strips bacon cut in half to make 36 pieces total
- 1 Tbs barbecue seasoning see Notes
For the Low Country BBQ Burgers:
- 2 lbs chuck ground beef
- 1 Tbs barbecue sauce of choice plus additional for topping the cooked burgers
- 2 tsp minced onion
- ¼ tsp kosher salt
- couple good pinches fresh cracked pepper
- 6 slices smoked Gouda cheese
- ¼ cup finely sliced green onion
Instructions
For the Smoked Gouda Grit Cakes:
-
Bring the water and butter for the grits to a rolling boil in a saucepan. While whisking constantly, gradually stream in the quick-cooking grits. Reduce the heat to medium-low and continue to cook for 5 minutes, ensuring to whisk continuously to prevent lumps. Remove the pan from the heat, then stir in the shredded smoked Gouda cheese and kosher salt until fully incorporated and melted. Taste and adjust seasoning as desired. Carefully spread the warm Gouda grits evenly into a 13×9 inch baking dish that has been lightly sprayed with cooking spray. Transfer the dish to the refrigerator and allow it to cool completely and firm up, which typically takes about 30 minutes.
-
Once the grit mixture is firm and set, use a 3-inch biscuit cutter to cut out 6 perfect rounds. Lightly dust each grit cake with all-purpose flour on both sides.
-
Heat the vegetable oil in a large, nonstick skillet over medium heat. Once hot, carefully add the floured grit cakes to the pan. Cook for several minutes per side, gently browning them until a beautiful golden crust forms and they are heated through. Transfer the cooked grit cakes to a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil before serving.
For the Bacon Weaves:
-
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
-
On a rimmed baking sheet, arrange 3 pieces of bacon (each being a half strip) parallel to each other. Using 3 additional bacon pieces, carefully weave them perpendicular to the first three, creating a lattice pattern. Aim for a weave that is approximately 6×6 inches. Repeat this process with the remaining bacon pieces until you have six total Bacon Weaves. Sprinkle your preferred barbecue seasoning generously over each weave.
-
Bake in the preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for 15 minutes. At this point, the bacon lattice should be firm enough to hold its shape. Carefully flip each bacon weave, sprinkle more barbecue seasoning on the other side, and continue to cook for an additional 10 minutes, or until the bacon is fully crisp and golden brown. Transfer the cooked bacon weaves to paper towels to drain any excess fat, then set aside.
For the Low Country BBQ Burgers:
-
Preheat your outdoor grill to high heat.
-
In a large bowl, combine the ground chuck beef, 1 tablespoon of your chosen barbecue sauce, minced onion, kosher salt, and a couple of good pinches of fresh cracked pepper. Mix gently until just combined, being careful not to overmix. Form the mixture into 6 equally sized patties. Create a small dimple in the center of each patty with your thumb to help prevent them from bulging while cooking. Place the patties on the hot grill and cook for approximately 4 minutes per side, or until they reach your desired level of doneness. During the last minute of cooking, place a slice of smoked Gouda cheese on top of each burger patty, allowing it to melt beautifully.
-
To assemble your ultimate Low Country BBQ Burger, layer the components on a plate in this order: first, a crispy bacon weave, followed by a juicy burger patty topped with melted cheese, and finally, a warm, golden grit cake. Drizzle generously with additional barbecue sauce and garnish with finely sliced green onion for a fresh finish. This recipe yields 6 delicious servings.
Notes
For pan-frying the grit cakes, a large skillet should comfortably accommodate all 6 cakes. If you find yourself needing to cook them in batches, it’s crucial to replace the vegetable oil with fresh oil between batches. The excess flour from the cakes can quickly blacken the oil, causing it to scorch and impart a burned taste to subsequent batches. Fresh oil ensures a consistently golden and delicious crust.
To efficiently manage your time in the kitchen, I recommend preparing the bacon weaves and forming the burger patties while the grits are cooling and setting in the refrigerator. Once the grit cakes are firm and cut, you can begin cooking them while your grill is preheating for the burgers. This staggered approach ensures everything is ready around the same time for perfect assembly.
~✿♥✿~
